Hi, I’m Bergen AHEPA! Thank you for your sponsorship. I wanted to introduce myself to you and brag about my current training I have been doing here at K9s For Warriors. I am being trained by talented trainers to assist military heroes who need my assistance with everyday life which I am excited to do. I am so glad you are taking part in making that happen for them. Some of the specialized commands we are working on this week are Stand and Brace. Stand is where I stand in front of my trainer to act as a barrier between my trainer and a person that may get to close to us during a conversation or meeting someone in public. That will assist my future Warrior while out in public. Brace is where I am already in the Stand position and my trainer or future Warrior will be in a seated, standing, or kneeling position. Both hands will be placed on my back, one over my shoulder area and one over my back hip area and I act as a brace for them to stand up or kneel down. We are also working on several other training techniques in the coming weeks! These past two weeks, we have been working really hard on a few final skills that were a bit challenging for me. The two skills are called “Stand” and “Brace.” In my last report my trainer sent you, he explained that those two behaviors are important because Stand helps my future Warrior have space between him/her while in public, and Brace is where I can assist a Warrior from getting up from a sitting position or from a kneeling position. I have now learned these behaviors and have been performing them when asked by my trainer. In fact, we have been doing mock run through’s of the final skills test and I have passed each and every time! I will be taking my real final skills test in about a week and a half! This is my last and most important test and I must pass it before I can go to a Warrior. This would not have been possible without your support and belief in this organization. Thank you again for your support. On my next report, I’ll have exciting news about the results of my final skills test. 05/01/2022
Howdy there, it's me, Bergen AHEPA! I want to say thank you for sponsoring me. These last two weeks have been really fun and filled with lots of off campus adventures. The other week my trainer and I went to Marine Land, and I did really awesome there. I'm the tallest dog on campus and those dolphins were almost as big as me. It's so fun walking through a crowd and having everyone looking at me because I'm so tall. The other day we went up to Home Depot and did some long sessions there working on my skills. I was able to perform all my skills for my trainer and at one point some guy dropped a big 2X4 behind me making a big scary noise and I didn't even break my sit. I just looked up at my trainer and ignored the sound. My trainer was very proud of me and says I am becoming a good Service Dog for my Warrior one day. The other day I was able to go to lunch with my trainer and boy did I want his food. I couldn't have any though because it was people food. Even though it was hard for me to resist trying to get some, I did end up laying down and being a good boy. Each day we are staying out longer and longer so I can get used to working long days for my Warrior because there is no break time when I'm on the job. Well, that is all, I’ll chat with you next time! 10/28/2022
Bergen sponsored by three AHEPA Chapters located in Bergen County in Northern New Jersey.
Well howdy y’all, it’s your miniature horse in dog form: Bergen AHEPA! I have been having a wonderful holiday season! Last week I had some great sessions with Mr. Stephen,
we have been working in this new location, it’s a big office space and it’s perfect for our training sessions. There are so many rooms and we set up a few as actual offices to relocate when I go into offices in the future.
I have also been visiting volunteer’s homes to foster. I did really well in a home environment, so I was invited back for New Year’s Eve! It was the perfect way to ring in 2022.
I have been working with Mr. Stephen’s friends Mr. Malique and Ms. Kelsey this week too, we’re working on my transferability and settling in places with new people.
I’m doing really well and I’m having a blast with Mr. Malique, he’s so much fun to play with and he’s big like me too; we’re the giants on campus.
I can’t wait to have Mr. Stephen back next week when he’s done on vacation so I can show him everything I’ve learned. I hope you enjoyed the holidays!
Woof woof! I am a sweet and active 1 1/2-year-old lab mix. I have been training at Camp K9 for about 10 weeks now. I have been having a pawsome time playing in the grassy yards while building a relationship with my trainer.
When my trainer and I started on my basic skills like sit or down, they realized I am learning really fast!
I have even had the chance to go off campus to some really cool places. I started with easy places first to see how comfortable I would be. I’ve been to Ross, general stores, and parks.
I had a tail-wagging good time meeting a small group of toddlers at the park and received lots of kisses! I even started getting chances to go to more distracting places; I think my favorites so far have been restaurants.
They have some of the best smells ever!!! My trainer said I did sooo good settling under the table while she had lunch.
A real bone-appetite! I can’t wait to see where we go next and keep showing off my service skills. Til’ next time! 02/2022
Bergen AHEPA Howdy, it's me again Mr. Bergen! Just checking in from Camp K9. I got a lot done these last few weeks and so much is happening at here on campus. My trainer and I have been working hard on smoothing out all my skills, I've pretty much got all of them down on verbal only. So, it's safe to say I'm doing great and being a good boy. Recently my trainer has been handing me off to other trainers and people to see if I can work for others as I work for him. He says I should be able to be a good boy and that I have to listen to anyone who holds my leash. It sounds easy but sometimes when I get stressed I don't want to listen to new people. But I'm working really hard on it! I also miss my trainer when he walks away and I just wanna be right beside him but I know I can't. My trainer says I'm learning to "self sooth" and not rely on him for everything. I guess I'm a teacher's pet. Even though all this new stuff is really hard my trainer says it will pay off in the end when I'm being the best Service Dog ever! 12/2021
Bergen AHEPA Looked at to be paired with a Warrior in December! Stay tuned and we'll see what happens. Howdy there, it's me, Bergen AHEPA! I want to say thank you for sponsoring me. These last two weeks have been really fun and filled with lots of off campus adventures. The other week my trainer and I went to Marine Land, and I did really awesome there. I'm the tallest dog on campus and those dolphins were almost as big as me. It's so fun walking through a crowd and having everyone looking at me because I'm so tall. We went up to Home Depot and did some long sessions there working on my skills. I was able to perform all my skills for my trainer and at one point some guy dropped a big 2X4 behind me making a big scary noise and I didn't even break my sit. I just looked up at my trainer and ignored the sound. My trainer was very proud of me and says I am becoming a good Service Dog for my Warrior one day. The other day I was able to go to lunch with my trainer and boy did I want his food. I couldn't have any though because it was people food. Even though it was hard for me to resist trying to get some, I did end up laying down and being a good boy. Each day we are staying out longer and longer so I can get used to working long days for my Warrior because there is no break time when I'm on the job. Well, that is all, I'll chat with you next time! 11/2021
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